Cricket

Bangladesh's decision to bowl first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Sylhet was influenced by the moisture in the wicket from earlier rain, which captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believed would assist seam and swing bowling. The inclusion of express pacer Nahid Rana, making his international debut, added to Bangladesh's hopes of early breakthroughs.Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva also expressed a preference for bowling first, having included three seamers in their lineup. However, they opted for just one frontline spinner in Prabath Jayasuriya, with Dhananjaya providing an off-break option and ambidextrous all-rounder Kamindu Mendis offering part-time spin.The conditions in Sylhet were initially wet but improved with sunshine breaking through. The pitch had some grass, promising movement for the seamers early on, but it was expected to become more favorable for batting as the game progressed. Cracks in the surface suggested that spinners could play a role later in the Test.Bangladesh's XI featured Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam.Sri Lanka's XI included Nishan Madushka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Kumara.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Clash in Test Series OpenerBangladesh and Sri Lanka will face off in the first match of a two-match Test series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to field first.Sri Lanka's opening pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka faced the new ball from Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed. Madushka was dismissed early, caught by Mehidy Hasan at third slip off Ahmed's bowling.Kusal Mendis joined Karunaratne at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings with a cautious approach. Ahmed and Shoriful continued to bowl tightly, but the Sri Lankan batsmen managed to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking over.Bangladesh will be without their experienced batter, Mushfiqur Rahim, who sustained a thumb injury. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of pacer Asitha Fernando due to a hamstring injury.Both teams enter the series with recent victories under their belts. Bangladesh has won three of their last five games, while Sri Lanka has also recorded three wins in their past five matches.The hosts will be confident of a positive result after defeating New Zealand in their previous Test clash. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be looking to carry their momentum from their ODI series win into the longer format.Sri Lanka will be keen to bounce back from their ODI setback and make Bangladesh work hard for victory. The visitors will rely on the experience of Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, while Bangladesh will look to their young bowlers to make an impact.The pitch at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is expected to offer some assistance to the bowlers, particularly early on. However, it could become more difficult to bat as the game progresses.

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has lauded the exceptional performance of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlighting his ability to stay present and focused on the task at hand. Jaiswal's recent accolades include the ICC Men's Player of the Month for February 2024, surpassing the likes of Kane Williamson and Pathum Nissanka.Pant, speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, expressed his admiration for the young players who have stepped up for India. He emphasized Jaiswal's remarkable consistency and determination."The way all the youngsters are stepping up is really amazing," Pant said. "Jaiswal is someone who likes keeping his head down and just keeps doing what he is doing. And I think if he keeps on doing that, then there's a long way to go."Jaiswal's impressive performance in the recently concluded home series against England showcased his exceptional talent. In five matches and nine innings, he amassed 712 runs at an average of 89.00, including two double centuries and three fifties. His highest score was an unbeaten 214.Pant believes that Jaiswal's ability to stay present and not dwell on the future is a key factor in his success. "He doesn't think too much," Pant said. "He just keeps doing what he is doing."Jaiswal's consistent performances have propelled him to the top of the ICC World Test Championship in runs scored. His back-to-back double-hundreds against England in February were instrumental in his rise to the top.Pant's praise for Jaiswal reflects the growing recognition of the young opener's talent and potential. As Jaiswal continues to perform at the highest level, he is poised to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine believes that opposition teams will be delighted to see Steven Smith continue opening the batting, despite his underwhelming start in the role. However, Paine does not anticipate any changes to the batting order for the upcoming India series.Paine remains optimistic about Smith's ability to succeed as an opener, despite his struggles in New Zealand, where he managed only 51 runs at an average of 12.75. However, he acknowledges that Smith's new position may not instill the same level of fear in bowlers."If I was playing against Australia, I would want Steve Smith to open the batting," Paine said. "I want my best bowlers at their freshest with a brand new ball. When he was at his best batting at four, you just felt he couldn't get out."Smith's promotion to the top of the order has allowed Cameron Green to return to his preferred position at No. 4, where he impressed with an unbeaten 174 in the first Test at Wellington.Head coach Andrew McDonald has defended Smith's early returns, arguing that it is unfair to judge him based on just four Tests. Australia's next Test assignment will be against India in late November, who could potentially field a formidable pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj."I don't think anything changes," Paine said of Australia's batting order. "Smith has earned the right to bat wherever he wants. If he is driven enough to be Australia's Test opener, I think he'll make it work."

India's recent Test victory over England in Dharamshala marked a significant milestone in the team's history. For the first time, India's overall win-loss ratio in Test cricket reached 1.0, meaning the number of wins now matches the number of losses.This achievement highlights India's remarkable transformation from a team that struggled in overseas conditions to a formidable force in both home and away Tests. The team's success can be attributed to several factors, including the emergence of world-class spinners like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.India's home record has been particularly impressive. Since the 1990s, the team has dominated at home, with a win-loss ratio of over 3.0. This dominance is largely due to the preparation of spin-friendly wickets, which have favored India's skilled spinners.In recent years, India has also made significant strides in away Tests. The team's win-loss ratio in away Tests has improved from 0.24 in the 1990s to 0.9 in the 2020s. This improvement is due to a combination of factors, including a more balanced bowling attack and a strong batting line-up.India's success in Test cricket is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The team's ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has made them one of the most respected and feared teams in the world.

Sunil Gavaskar's fury erupted when Sarfaraz Khan recklessly threw away his wicket shortly after the tea break on day two of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala. Making his third Test appearance, the 26-year-old Khan had settled into a promising 56 but opted for an ill-advised cut shot against spinner Shoaib Bashir. The ball found an edge and was gratefully accepted by Joe Root in the slips.Gavaskar, providing commentary during the live broadcast, was scathing in his criticism of Khan's shot selection. "The ball was pitched up, it wasn't short enough for that shot," Gavaskar lamented. "Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter."Gavaskar's ire stemmed from a meeting with Khan the previous day, where he had emphasized the significance of shot selection. A crestfallen Khan later apologized to Gavaskar through Dubai-based businessman Shyam Bhatia, who had arranged their meeting. "Sir, please say sorry to Mr Gavaskar – I made a mistake! I won’t make that mistake again," Khan reportedly conveyed through Bhatia.Gavaskar's anger was not unfounded. Khan's dismissal was a glaring example of poor decision-making, especially considering the crucial stage of the match. India was looking to consolidate its position after a dominant first day, and Khan's wicket gave England a much-needed boost.The incident highlights the importance of shot selection in Test cricket. Batsmen must carefully assess the situation and play shots that are appropriate for the conditions and the match situation. Impulsive or reckless shots can have disastrous consequences, as Khan's dismissal demonstrated.Despite Khan's lapse, India went on to win the Dharamsala Test inside three days, securing a 4-1 series victory. However, the incident served as a reminder of the importance of discipline and shot selection in the longest format of the game.

Kuldeep Yadav, the enigmatic left-arm wrist spinner, has emerged as a formidable force in Indian cricket. Despite playing only 12 Tests in a career spanning seven years, he has left an indelible mark on the game with his unique bowling style.Yadav's journey has been marked by both brilliance and setbacks. He made his debut in 2017 and quickly established himself as a match-winner, taking 19 wickets in a series against England. However, he has also faced periods of inconsistency and has often found himself on the sidelines.Undeterred, Yadav has worked tirelessly to improve his craft. He has refined his run-up, pace, and batting, transforming himself into a more complete bowler. His efforts have paid off, as he has regained his place in the Indian team and played a pivotal role in their recent Test series victory over England.Yadav's success stems from his ability to bowl the "chinaman," a delivery that spins away from the right-handed batter. This delivery is notoriously difficult to master, but Yadav has developed exceptional control over it. He can deceive batters with his subtle variations in pace and trajectory, making him a formidable opponent.In addition to his bowling prowess, Yadav has also shown maturity and resilience. He has learned to handle both praise and criticism with grace, and he has maintained his focus on improving his game. His positive attitude and willingness to learn have been instrumental in his resurgence.Yadav's return to form is a testament to his talent and determination. He has proven that even after setbacks, it is possible to regain one's place at the top. As India looks to the future, Yadav is poised to play a leading role in their spin attack. His unique skills and unwavering spirit make him a valuable asset to the team and a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has launched a scathing attack on Ben Stokes' captaincy following England's 4-1 Test series defeat to India. Chappell believes that Stokes' aggressive approach faltered at crucial moments, particularly in the fourth Test in Ranchi, which India won convincingly.Chappell cited Stokes' decision to open the bowling with part-timer Joe Root instead of experienced seamer Jimmy Anderson on the third evening of the Ranchi Test as a major error. India took full advantage, scoring 40 runs off just eight overs."Stokes missed a trick in Ranchi," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo. "He then compounded his error by allowing too many easy singles on the final day by resorting to some cautious field placings. At a time when Stokes needed to be extremely brave as captain and hope he got lucky, he was abnormally conservative."Chappell believes that Stokes should take inspiration from Pakistan legend Javed Miandad, who was a master of leading teams in demanding chases."India probably would still have won but at least by going on the attack, Stokes would have given England their best chance of an upset victory," Chappell said. "Stokes could improve his captaincy in demanding chases if he took the example of the leadership master in those situations - Pakistan's Javed Miandad."Chappell also praised India captain Rohit Sharma for his astute leadership throughout the series."Rohit proceeded to take full advantage of the tentative field placings with a thoughtful innings and India's solid opening partnership helped seal victory," Chappell concluded.

James Anderson, the legendary English seam bowler, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first pacer to reach the milestone of 700 wickets. However, despite this remarkable achievement, Anderson remains unfazed, prioritizing team success over personal accolades.Anderson's historic feat came on the final morning of England's 4-1 series loss in India. With Kuldeep Yadav caught behind, Anderson joined the elite club of bowlers with 700 Test wickets, a feat previously accomplished only by spinners Muthiah Muralidharan and Shane Warne.Despite the magnitude of his achievement, Anderson expressed mixed emotions. "It was a nice moment, but I don't know how I feel," he said. "I would've felt more excited if we'd have won the Test or the series."Anderson's humility stems from his unwavering focus on team performance. "I don't play cricket to get the milestones. I want to win games," he emphasized. "That's why I'm probably a little bit flat now, because we've lost 4-1 in this series."Despite the disappointing result, Anderson remains optimistic about England's future. "We've stuck together really well, we really enjoy being together as a group and there is more to come from this team," he said.At 41 years old, Anderson's longevity and fitness are remarkable. He attributes his success to his unwavering dedication to training and his love for the game. "I'm not getting any worse," he said. "I'm definitely in the best shape I've ever been in."Anderson's 700th wicket is a testament to his skill, determination, and unwavering spirit. While he may not seek personal glory, his achievement will forever be etched in the history of Test cricket.